Last year Netflix was involved in a fierce battle around Bright’s rights. They eventually managed to offer more than big studios like Warner Brothers and MGM and payed 90 million dollars for this title. The film is directed by David Ayer, who seems to specialize in police dramas (End of Watch, Training Day, Street Kings) and also major films such as Fury and Suicide Squad, is a title for which expectations were high. With famous actors in the main roles, Will Smith, Joel Edgerton and Noomi Rapace, this is the type of blockbuster for which you would normally head to the cinema. Now you can see it at home after a few clicks on your remote control.
It’s something not everyone is happy about (last year there was a heated discussion at the Cannes Film Festival about what services such as Netflix mean for film in general. Of course the convenience of watching it at home is very nice, but is Bright a title that is worth watching?
In the world of Bright people live together with poor Orcs and rich elves. The separation between these groups are clearly present and Daryl Ward (Will Smith) is forced to cooperate with his partner Nick Jakoby (Edgerton), the first Orc who works for the police. That results in quite a bit of tension, because the Orcs see him as a traitor, while all his colleagues do not trust him and want him to disappear from the force as quickly as possible. Daryl would also like to see that happen. Especially because Nick did not protect him when he was attacked by an Orc and let the perpetrator go. Their relationship is tense, but during their work they end up at a location where they discover a magic wand. It is an object which can all your dreams become reality. Together with an elf, the two police officers have to get the staff to a safe place, while they are being chased by various groups.
Ayer again delivers a police drama, which is mixed with many fantasy elements. Luckily he spends practically no time explaining the world, which is clearly shaped by the events in the film. If you forget the fantasy elements for a moment, then it is basically a story of two cops who must protect a person and something very valuable at all costs. This results in a title that sometimes may lack depth, but has plenty to offer for fans of action. Bright could have easily played in cinemas and is, now that you do not even have to leave your house to see it, worth a look.
